A Question and an introduction...

[airbrushguy]

Hi,
Like the site, been around cars all my life, antiques, resto-mods, hotrods vettes and daily drivers.
My dad had a service station all my young years until I was 27. Loved the idea of coming in any time and putting my cars on the lifts to check anything out. Always been a nut about detailing and loved the fact that I could wax, clean and check everything while it was on the lift.
Fast forward to a house, family and built my dream garage about 20 years ago ( 40 x 26 with full attic, heat, and AC). Didn't have money for lift because they were not as cheap as they are today, and since I built it with a steel I-beam to eliminate poles, I now would have a tough time altering to cut beam and open up ceiling to accept a lift.
I've read about Maxjax and mid-rise lifts and feel this is how I'd like to go but I have concerns...I have a variety of cars from Corvettes to hotrods that are relatively small but also have a 1939 Buick sedan, '71 C10 Pickup as well as family cars.
How much size and weight can these lifts handle? What is the ultimate floor space I need?
My other alternative is to mount a full 2 or 4 post lift outside in front of one of my bays. Do they make a lift that could handle New Jersey weather?
Long and lots of questions, hopefully my future posts will be shorter, thanks.

 

[zkling]

Hi, welcome to GJ.

Not to be an a$$ off the bat, but did you even look for 30 seconds on the max jax website? All of your questions are answered directly from the people that make it.

http://www.maxjaxusa.com/specifications.html

The max jax is basically a 2 post, just shorter

Mid rise are much different. A 2 post is nicer IMHO for overall work, especially rear wheel drive cars. However 2 post have to be installed and take up a bit more space.

http://www.bendpak.com/car-lifts/specialty-lifts/md-6xp.aspx


I'd recommend you read through both of the links I provided for you, I think alot of your questions will be answered. It always amazes me, people are willing to spend a large sum of money, yet don't want to put in the effort to do any research themselves.

Permanently installing a lift outside is a pretty bad idea, especially in a climate like NJ IMHO, it has been covered on here numerous times. Majority of the time, the consensus is that it is a bad idea.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Welcome to the GJ, enjoy.

 

[airbrushguy]

" It always amazes me, people are willing to spend a large sum of money, yet don't want to put in the effort to do any research themselves."

Actually this post is part of my research process.
I wanted actual responses from someone who might own a 4-5000 lb sedan and the convenience of using a 7000 pound capacity lift with it. I've seen and read alot about corvettes on them but their size and weight is much different.

I guess I was just wondering about possibilities and not at the "spending large sum of money stage" more at the " i've always planned on altering the garage and putting a full two post lift in someday, but saw all the posts about Maxjax and wondered if that would work for me" stage.

Thanks